Why are people so susceptible to peer pressure?

Humans are social animals. They need to be, from an evolutionary viewpoint, because they don't have claws, fangs, talons, thick fur, or any of the things that make solitary life in the wilderness more manageable. read more

A second implication is that adolescents who feel socially excluded and who have difficulty regulating strong negative emotions may be especially prone to peer influence, and could be more likely to use drugs as a way of coping with distress or as a way to gain social status with a drug-using peer group. read more

People will frown and question why you don’t just do the same thing everyone else is doing. People might judge you. No one likes to be judged. Some can take the judgment and break with the pack and do their own thing, but some would prefer not to deal with it. I’ve always believed that peer pressure must have a biological, evolutionary use. read more

Traditionally peer pressure has been associated with young people being coerced by verbal or physical influence from their friends. However this research suggests teenagers are susceptible to peer pressure just knowing that their friends are observing them. read more